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Sheeran Addresses Gaza Controversy at Philadelphia Show
Confirmed
In Short: At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy that has engulfed his Loop Tour since Macklemore was dropped from the lineup.
Sheeran said, 'My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians' lives, of children's lives,' expressing his deep concern over the situation in Gaza.
He emphasized that his music and shows are about unity and humanity, not politics, and acknowledged the pressure surrounding the tour.
Sheeran also addressed the decision to drop Macklemore, stating he was not responsible for the decision, which came at the urging of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
The British singer said he was trying to build a bridge between Macklemore and Kraft and the other venues, but the controversy led to the withdrawal of several supporting acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga.
Sheeran told the crowd, 'I am deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content performance,' and said he would be making contributions to help victims of the conflict.
Fans like Hillary Steinberg, who got a refund and attended the demonstration instead, expressed disappointment that Sheeran did not take a stronger stand.
Sheeran's Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, but ticket prices for this show dropped to $32 (£24).
The controversy began when Macklemore performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters and referred to 'genocide' in Gaza, a description Israel rejects.
Sheeran's remaining tour dates are scheduled with shows set throughout North and South America, and he plans to continue addressing the situation and making contributions to help victims.
What this adds
Experts say an artist of Sheeran's magnitude generally has the final say about what happens concerning the shows, despite promoters and venues wielding great power over concert tours.
Sheeran's statement that he wouldn't be drawn into discussion of the war in Gaza, arguing that his fans don't come to his shows to hear about these issues, contrasts with his decision to address the controversy directly at the concert.
While Sheeran's Loop Tour was highly successful, the controversy has led to a decline in ticket sales and a drop in ticket prices for the remaining US leg of the tour.
What's confirmed
- Sheeran also said he wants his music and shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics.
- He then addressed the controversy that unfolded since his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.
- Sheeran has performed much of his Loop Tour concerts solo, but he had been joined for several songs at each stop by the Irish folk band Beoga.
- Sheeran has said he was not responsible for the decision, which came at the urging of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
- Within hours of Sheeran's statement Tuesday, his supporting acts withdrew.
- Macklemore said Wednesday he is donating $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts and called on Kraft to match the gift; a spokesperson for Kraft has said the billionaire and Sheeran have each agreed to donate $2 million but have not specified where the money will be directed.
- Sheeran's Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May.
- "I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening, and learning, because I do not know enough," Sheeran told the crowd Saturday.
- Sheeran told the crowd that while he was used to facing criticism for his music, "this week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I've had to take and make difficult decisions - and I am making mistakes - and I'm so, so sorry".
What's still developing
- The Grammy winner was adamant in his Tuesday statement that he wouldn't be drawn into discussion of the war in Gaza, arguing that his fans don't come to his shows to hear about these issues.
- While promoters and venues wield great power over concert tours, experts say an artist of Sheeran's magnitude generally has the final say about what happens concerning the shows.
- Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year before he too dropped out earlier this week.
- As of Saturday afternoon, tickets were still available for the show, and Sheeran's website did not list any replacement acts.
- Earlier a group of about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators congregated outside the stadium before the show.
- "I think all art is political, and all music is political, and so this choice - even though he was saying that he wasn't complicit - is a political choice." The show comes after a tumultuous week that opened with Macklemore being dropped in response to exclaiming "Free Palestine" during a Sept.
- "I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," he said at Saturday's show.
- He described the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks as "horrific" and called the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable" in his first in-person remarks since the controversy began.
- Sheeran said what happened in Israel on 7 October was "horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain".
- Fans filtered in ahead of the show, which began almost three hours later than planned Some protesters waved flags outside the venue, but the concert proceeded largely unfettered.
- There was a small protest ahead of Saturday's concert Billionaire Robert Kraft who owns Gillette Stadium and the American football team the New England Patriots, confirmed he had banned Macklemore from performing during the British singer's forthcoming shows.
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